Customer Reviews

The Conch Killers

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Being from Florida, my family thought I'd enjoy a book set in our home state. We found this book by accident, when we went to a bookstore where the author was having a book signing. From the opening paragraphs (where you'll find out what I meant in the title of my review!) you'll be caught like a marlin on a gaff hook! This book has all the ingredients to keep you captivated and turning the pages as fast as your eyes can scan them: Beaches, sunshine, kidnapping, murder, beer, tequila, and women of questionable morals!

If you're into sailing, you'll love the detailed descriptions of the boats in this book. The author's bio indicates that he's an avid sailor, and this shows in how he writes about the various sailing craft throughout the book. After finishing the book, I was just about ready to go buy a sailboat and take off for Bimini by way of Key West! Unfortunately, reality set in and I didn't, so I'm going to have to live vicariously through this book and any sequels that might be forthcoming.

I hope that Chip doesn't take too long to write a sequel. I loved the interaction between the main protagonists, and would love to read a lot more. I don't know if there will be 15+ sequels, but reading this book I kind of got the feeling that Chip could have another Stephanie Plum type series here. All you'd need would be colorful characters, crazy scenarios, humor mixed with intrigue, and a wonderful writing style. This book has all that in spades!

As I get further behind in my reading, I find myself saying "no" to more book offers than I used to. It takes a bit more to break through my "I'd like to, but..." now. But I'm a sucker for a good Florida crime genre novel, especially if it has a touch of Dorsey or Hiaasen in it. When Chip Giles mentioned those two names in his email to offer me The Conch Killers, I had to relent and say yes to a copy. And it was worth the read... Tad Hunter and Ramon Garcia are two humorous additions to the wacky characters that make up the Florida literary landscape, and Giles could turn out to be a writer that I enjoy reading on a regular basis.

In Conch Killers, Hunter and Garcia are two ex-military drifters who live for sailing. They've gotten out of "the life", which means they are no longer doing jobs for shadowy characters that skirt the boundaries of the law. But they are drawn back when they are offered a large payout for a "simple" job... deliver a package in exchange for a kidnap victim, and bring the victim back to her family. But of course, nothing is simple in the Florida Keys, and the job turns into a full-fledged mission with terrorists, guns, and dead bodies. Along the way, there are luxury sailboats, obnoxious owners, people who aren't who they seem to be, and enough craziness to keep everyone confused and amused...

Giles has done a good job for a first novel. Hunter and Garcia are a good character mix, with Hunter playing the semi-rational partner to Garcia's off-the-wall (and sometimes deadly) antics. Given the type of characters they are, the dialog works well. It's not how you'd talk or carry on every day yourself, but it fits the personalities. The only major knock I have on the book is a situation that many self-published authors fall into... the lack of a solid editor to clean up the book. It wasn't so much the story that needed help as the grammar and word usage. I expect most books to have an incorrect word or two, such as their vs. there or bear vs. bare. But The Conch Killers has far too many. When I encountered the first one, I just let it go. The second one about ten pages later gave me pause. But when it got to be one every five pages or so, it really started to bug me. Most of these could have been caught with a single reading by a relatively careful reader. It's too bad, as it otherwise mars what would be a really good first novel.

Giles is in the process of writing his next novel, and I would look forward to reading it. The Conch Killers was a nice diversion to the Florida Keys, and I hope Giles continues to flesh out Hunter and Garcia, and add to their list of adventures.

Disclosure:
Obtained From: Author
Payment: Free

I was captivated from the beginning. The author draws you into the story line from the start! Chip Giles keeps you wondering....a thriller! I enjoyed the mixture of suspense and romance!

I love this wacky Florida Keys novel! It's been a while since I have laughed out loud while reading a book! I suggest highly!!!

Chip Giles' book "The Conch Killers" is a very fun book to read! I laughed as much the second time through as I did the first.

I was in the middle of a trilogy and did not want to stop to read this new book I bought, but I glanced at the first page. Then the first chapter, then the first two chapters, then..... Anyway, I could not put it down and finished it in one uninterrupted sitting. And I did not know it would be so hilariously funny! Since I could not stop reading to eat dinner, I nearly choked a few times because I was laughing so hard! That line about Ebola caused a bit of broccoli to go hiding up behind my nose!

It is about a young woman from a wealthy family, who despite her bodyguard's efforts, is kidnapped. Then a couple of old army buddies with interesting talents and more interesting other characteristics get involved and help or hinder the inept professionals. And they do this all over the Florida Keys, which gives it a naturally weird setting.

If you like Tim Dorsey and Carl Hiaasen and a mixture of humor and mystery - this one is for you.

Read it twice. You'll need a second reading to catch all the jokes. But for safety, please do not read it while eating, unless there is someone nearby trained in the Heimlich maneuver.

Chip Giles is on his way to becoming a best-selling author.

if youre a fan of flordia crime stories youre sure to love this one1 lets hope chip@giles has a lot more to come. great characters...a series perhaps?

I completely loved this book, and hated to see it end! I can easily see a movie being made from the story, with big Hollywood names--like Owen Wilson starring as Tad! Author Chip Giles has created hysterical and unforgettable characters in his debut novel, and I am anxiously awaiting a sequel. . .

When you read Conch Killers, you don't want it to end. The characters in the book are amusing, questionable, and mysterious. You can laugh out loud at some of the happenings. Set on the edge of your chair at times. Enjoy the moments in the Keys. It is a book full of enjoyment. Can't wait for the next thriller.

See book description above.
Chip Giles first novel is both colorful and fun. This was a fairly short and enjoyable comedic thriller. What he has tried to do with this novel and its layout is to emulate the very talented Tim Dorsey. He does a fine job with this but still has a few rough edges which I expect from a new author. If there is any one author I like to see someone follow in the footsteps of it would be Dorsey.
Tad and Ramon, Giles protagonists, are sort of a layed back Serge and Coleman from the Dorsey novels, Ramon leaning more towards the Serge character. I felt I didn't get to know the characters well enough in this novel to appreciate them as well as I should have. I see a lot of potential in this author and look forward to seeing what his duo will be up to next time. A good first effort.